The end of August is near and it’s been a brutally hot summer. Working conditions have certainly been uncomfortable as heat index values stayed consistently above 110 degrees for several stretches. Couple those temperatures with personal protective gear in the woods and it becomes excessively hot. Luckily we’ve had a bit of a break and one’s breath was actually visible in the early morning hours recently.
The savanna near Glenwood is complete now along with two parcels of land with some heavy TSI near Council Bluffs. The latter of these two projects has some of the most beautiful woods HRF has had the pleasure of working on in recent memory. Absolutely gorgeous stands mixed with black walnut, bur oak, and red oak dominate the parcels. With the recent thinning we’re allowing much more sunlight to reach the forest floor while eliminating invasive species with the hope that natural regeneration of these high quality trees will now take over.
Hickory Ridge Forestry is heading south to Mena, Arkansas to team up with the New York Says Thank You Foundation again over Labor day. This year’s projects include the building of three single family homes and a community center, along with a host of smaller specialized projects. Please check back after the holiday for updates, photos, and new stories of friendship and the rebuilding of more than just homes. For more information please visit www.newyorksaysthankyou.org for more information. It is going to be incredible.